Ahmedabad: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successfully retained their Indian Premier League (IPL) crown after defeating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans posted 155/8 in 20 overs, thanks to a fighting unbeaten half-century from Washington Sundar, who scored 50 runs off 37 deliveries. For RCB, Rasikh Salam Dar starred with the ball, claiming three wickets, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood chipped in with two wickets each.
Virat Kohli Leads Bengaluru to Victory
Chasing a target of 156, Royal Challengers Bengaluru comfortably reached 161/5 in 18 overs, powered by a brilliant unbeaten knock of 75 runs from 42 balls by Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s match-winning innings ensured a successful title defense for RCB and earned him the Player of the Match award. Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates IPL History
One of the biggest stories of the season was the sensational rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of IPL 2026.
The young batting sensation also secured the Orange Cap after scoring an impressive 776 runs, becoming the youngest-ever Orange Cap winner at just 15 years and 65 days old.
Vaibhav further dominated the awards list by winning:
- Emerging Player of the Season
- Super Striker of the Season (Strike Rate: 237.3)
- Super Sixes of the Season (72 Sixes)
His remarkable performances made him one of the standout stars of the tournament.
IPL 2026 Award Winners
Several players were recognized for their exceptional performances throughout the season:
- Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap with 29 wickets.
- Manish Pandey received the Catch of the Season award for his stunning catch to dismiss Tim David.
- Mohammed Siraj was honored for bowling the most dot balls in the tournament, delivering 172 dot balls.
- Sai Sudharsan earned the award for hitting the most fours, registering 75 boundaries during the season.
RCB Continue Their Dominance
With another IPL trophy added to their cabinet, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have further cemented their place among the league’s elite teams. Led by Virat Kohli’s brilliance and strong all-round performances throughout the tournament, RCB capped off another memorable season with a commanding victory in the final.
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